Tailings Confinement Program

This project began in 1981 and has been continuous since 1985. It involves the construction of dams, dykes and canals which are used to confine the red water and mine tailings within a closed loop basin. As the volume of tailings storage needs to be increased, the crests of the retaining structures are raised. Materials management and procurement is critical, as the main dam incorporates about ten different types of soil. Finding good quality dry moraine is an ongoing challenge and scheduling is critical because of the short construction season.